Progress as Promised

I just wanted to share a few really quick updates that Nathan and I have done around the house that I'm enjoying.  I apologize in advance for the bad cell phone pictures :)

First, we updated our master bedroom decor.  It's actually changed even since these pictures, so I'll have to do another post with even more changes.  So here's the thing, our bedroom furniture is from 1977.  No literally, my mom bought the furniture in 1977.  So as you might imagine it's a little what you would call... dated.  But it's still in great condition (insert comment about how they just don't make things like they used to).  So I wanted to keep it, but try and bring the style into 2012 and out of the disco era.

Before

The best way I knew to do that was by changing the very heavy mirror.  Fortunately the top piece just sits on the dresser and is not attached which makes removing it a breeze.  To us, the transformation of just taking off the mirror and replacing it with a new more modern mirror that hangs on the wall, was pretty dramatic.  It actually "lightened" up the room.  So yay for this little piece of progress!

Progress

I'm also trying to switch out the decor in the room to a more "Hollywood Regency" style.  But these things take time so I'll have to update you guys as more progress is made.  But like I said, I've changed things since the above picture, so it's already looking even better.

I also did a quick update by the bed by switching out our bedside lamps.  See... me likey the new lamps a lot!

Before

Progress

And just because I like them so much... a beauty shot of the lamps.

Now moving out of the bedroom, we will head to the kinda-sorta-not really-more like a garage-laundry room.  At Casa Groves we don't have a true laundry room.  Instead we just have an area in the garage where the washer and dryer are, and where there was a closet.  In general, the space was ugly and did not function well.  We needed more storage, and because I'm a girl, and I do most of the laundry... I wanted it to be prettier.

Before

Before

So we Nathan tore out the old closet that wasn't getting much use.  Then we tore out the old shelf above the washer and dryer, because his unusually short wife had a hard time reaching it.  We thought about painting, but realized that just seemed like so much work as there would need to be some wall patching that would have to be done first.  So instead, we got inspired by Pinterest and hung curtains.  Well actually we hung inexpensive Walmart bed sheets.  Much quicker and it hides all the flaws.  And most importantly it's just prettier.  We also put up a new shelf to store everything... and voila... a nice laundry nook. :) 

Progress

Progress

And finally... my favorite piece of progress is our new and improved front door.  First the front door was just flat and boring, and there was a very old (charming in it's day but not so much anymore) screen door.  Both were just looking dated and dull.  So my super-husband added some trim to the front door to give it more detail.  Then we he painted it a bright red (LOVE red doors).  The final touch was a new glass storm door.  Ah... it's amazing how much nicer it looks as you drive up to the house.  Really updates the house and curb appeal.  

Before (last fall)

Before

After (doesn't show the true color)

So there you have it... Progress as Promised.  Check back for more Casa Groves updates.